Tips on preparation, attire and sample questions for that interview leading to professional employment

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1 Tips on preparation, attire and sample questions for that interview leading to professional employment Career Services Center Old Main 280 Bellingham, WA Website: (360)

2 INTERVIEWING TIPS for the Wise Job Searcher PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW This is the time to research the prospective employer to learn everything you can about its history, products and/or services, financial stability, customer base, etc Review the job announcement, job description and highlight key words. Consider whether an informational interview is appropriate prior to applying for the position. (See CSC handout, Informational Interviews) Research organization s web site, request annual reports, network with all sources that are familiar with the organization. Review your research and put yourself in the employer s position. What would s/he want to know about the skills, background, and potential of a prospective employee? (See CSC handout, Sample Interview Questions and what they really mean). Consider a mock interview to practice your interviewing skills. (Available at the CSC) Learn all you can about the interview process, driving and parking directions. Arrive early enough to find parking, a restroom, and the interview site. Tardiness is not an option. THE INTERVIEW Formats vary widely. Sometimes you will be invited to a group Q&A session, or to meet with a number of supervisors one on one. An initial screening interview may take place at a career fair, on campus recruitment session, or by telephone. Successful candidates are invited to a formal site based interview. If invited to an interview, you are a qualified candidate. Act accordingly. At this point, they are trying to see if you fit their needs and are a good match for their organization. It is your opportunity to assess them as well. The non-verbal impression you make is as important as your verbal responses to questions. Dress professionally. While you may not dress to that level on the job, the employer needs to see you at your best. In everything you do and say, you will be a reflection of the organization. (See CSC handout, Professional Attire for interviews) Direct eye contact and a firm handshake are expected. Even at this point they are judging what they perceive to be your maturity, enthusiasm for the job, and warmth of personality. Old Main 280, ,

3 Bringing additional resumes (also recommendations, business cards, etc.) may assist you in making a professional presentation. Good interviewers state the parameters of the interview. Pay attention. This alerts you to the length of time and number of questions to expect. A lot can be said in two minutes. Do not ramble. If a question confuses you, it is appropriate to ask a clarifying question. Your best answers will include a related example that builds an image in the interviewer(s) mind. For sample questions see Career Services Center Handout, Behavior Based Interview Questions. Before you answer, take a moment to reflect on the question. Make absolutely sure you understand what it is meant to assess. Make your answers complete, using specific examples but don t ramble. The conclusion of most interview sessions is indicated when the candidate is asked if s/he has any questions for us or anything else you would like us to know about you? Prepare at least 2 or 3 appropriate questions to ask the interviewer. The best questions show that you know and identify with the organization and its goals. In other words, you have done some research. Never leave the interview without affirming your interest in the position and asking that they strongly consider you. Thank the interviewer/ committee and shake hands upon leaving. AFTER THE INTERVIEW Reflect ~ Respond ~ Recharge While the process is still fresh, reflect on what went well and what could have been better. List your impressions, unanticipated questions, and things you learned from the process. A letter of appreciation to the interviewing individual is appropriate and appreciated. For a group interview, one message to the lead person is a way to thank the entire committee. It is important to get it to them in a timely manner, of course. Consider asking for constructive feedback by calling the interviewer after the hiring decision has been made. Be courteous and nondefensive. Remember that not all interviewers have the time or interest in responding. Learn from the entire experience so that your next interview is even stronger. Old Main 280, ,

4 Behavior Based Interview Questions Increasing numbers of employers are utilizing a behavioral interviewing process. It is a procedure based on the theory that the most accurate predictor of future performance with their organization is your past performance. It requires that all answers be as specific and detailed as possible. Candidates who offer examples related to particular situations will be far more effective and successful than those who respond in general terms. New graduates with little paid work experience in the field can still shine in this format by using related examples from school, volunteer, internship, sports activities and similar experiences. Questions often begin with Describe a situation in which you Tell me about a time when you Please discuss and give a specific example Since you can not anticipate the exact wording of behavioral questions, what is the best way to prepare for such an interview? Review the point made in the section Prior to the Interview found on the Interviewing Tips for the Wise Job Searcher handout. As you consider the job description and what you know about the organization, visualize the broad concerns. You will be expected to discuss in behavioral terms such as teamwork, technical and professional skills, initiative, and skills of analysis, communication, and flexibility as they apply to the job description and the organization. Develop a small arsenal of stories that use examples and can be adapted to a variety of behavioral questions. When asked a behavioral question, you should briefly describe the situation, what specific action you took that affected the situation, and the positive result. This three step process is called a SAR statement: Step 1 Situation (or task, problem, etc) Step 2 Action taken Step 3 Result (or outcome) Sample Question: Describe a situation where you exerted leadership in a group process. Sample Answer: Situation (S): The deadline for a group project for our economics class was fast approaching and we seemed confused and unmotivated. Action (A): I met with the professor to clarify her expectations for the project. I then called a meeting of our group and suggested a process and a time frame to accomplish the project. Individual tasks and roles were determined by interest. Result (R): The class presentation of our project was given a grade of A by the professor and peer evaluations rated it highly. In addition, the group had a feeling of accomplishment where once there was confusion and indecision., Old Main 280, ,

5 SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS and what they REALLY mean Below you will find typical questions that you should be prepared to address in an interview. (1) Tell me about yourself. How would you best describe yourself? (What can you do for us and how well would you fit in here?) (2) What interests you about this job? (Do you have a realistic idea of what is involved in this job?) (3) What led you to choose your field of study? (Are you intellectually curious? Has it prepared you for our position?) (4) What experience do you have in this job? (Give relevant related examples showing you can function in this type of job). (5) What strengths would you bring to this job? What would your last supervisor (teacher, etc.) say is a strength of yours? (Why should I hire you?) (6) What weaknesses do you need to overcome? What improvement would your last employer say you need to work on? (Do you have limited ability to do what is required in this position?) (7) Discuss something you have accomplished which has given you satisfaction. (Are you good at any of the things which are important to this job?) (8) Tell us about a time when you had a conflict with someone. (What are your conflict resolution skills? Do you employ ethical standards we value?) (9) What do you think makes a person a good supervisor? (Under what supervisory/management model does your best work show?) (10) What are your long term goals? What will you be doing in 5 years? (If we hire you, are you likely to stay for awhile? What is your loyalty to an organization?) (11) Is there anything else you want us to know about you? (What have we not asked about that you think is relevant to how you match our needs for this position?) (12) Do you have any questions for us? (This is your last chance to impress us, to make us aware that you have done research and know about our organization and its products and/or services. Remind us how you fit our needs and that you hope we will seriously consider you.) Old Main 280, ,

6 Informational Interviews Informational interviewing involves meeting directly with people working in areas of interest to you in order to obtain concrete career information. The benefits include: opportunities to ask questions, gather current and first hand information, learn what people do on a day-to-day basis, and view their work environments. practice talking with professionals and establishing helpful contacts for future networking. learning about part-time, volunteer, internship, and full-time professional job opportunities. Informational interviewing is NOT a job interview. It involves asking only for information and advice about a career field, not a job. If people you are interviewing ask if you are looking for a job, be honest, but also make sure they understand the purpose is for information only. Step to take: 1. Make a list of occupations, career areas, hobbies, anything you want to know more about. 2. Next, find people to interview. Think of all the people you know and whom they know. Ask them for an interview or a referral. For additional business contacts, check phone books, the Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and other business directories as well as trade journals and college alumni associations. 3. Call or send a letter to arrange a minute interview. Use a personal referral if you have one and demonstrate an honest interest in that person s activity. When making your contact remember: (a) speak with confidence, (b) even if your request is denied, ask for referrals to others, (c) if you can t get through to the person you want to contact, ask the secretary for suggestions. Whether calling or writing, note why you are making the contact and what you hope to accomplish in your time with them. A suggested approach would be, Would you have time to talk to me in an informational interview about your work? In this interview, I would like to ask you some questions about the field of, and perhaps you might have some advice on the best way to prepare for this type of work. Keep the following in mind about the informational interview. Don t over extend your stay. Offer to leave in ten minutes. Plan to ask 4-5 questions (prepare 6-8) Make the questions answerable and openended. And don t be afraid to ask impromptu questions. Before leaving ask Is there anyone else you think I should talk to? Suggested questions to ask: 1. How did you get into this line of work? 2. What do you like best about your job? 3. What do you like least? 4. How long have you been doing this kind of work? 5. What kind of education or experience qualifies one for this type of work? 6. What is the entry level position and appropriate qualifications for this field? 7. Do you have advice for me to take into account about this career field? 8. What challenges or problems do you deal with? 9. What are some of your job duties? 10. Describe your typical workday. 11. Are there courses outside my academic major that would be helpful? 12. What would you change about your job? 13. What skills are critical for this position? 14. How are job openings advertised? 15. Who else do you know that I can talk to? After the interview, send a thank you note. Also summarize what you learned. Ask yourself what impressed you the most. Did the conversation change your opinion about the job? Did you get the answers you needed? Once finished, act on that information, see who to interview next and continue. Old Main 280, ,

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